Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation

The Godiva Variation is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6, where Black's queen attacks the d4 knight at once. White wants to retreat the knight with tempo and develop fast, while Black hopes the early queen sortie causes White problems.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6
ECO
B32
Engine
+0.65 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
609 games in our lichess sample
White scores
46.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 5.Nb3 is best. The knight steps back and later Be3 gains time on the queen.
  • Add c4 and a3 to grab space and keep ...Bb4 out of the game.
  • 5.Nf3 or Nb5 are other options but give Black an easier game.

Black

  • After Nb3, play ...e6 and ...Qc7, then ...Be7 and ...Nf6 to finish development.
  • Look for ...Bb4+ if White leaves c3 or d2 weak after an early c4.
  • Avoid grabbing b2; it often lets White develop fast with Nc3 and a rook to b1.

Plans and pawn structure

The queen on b6 is early, and White gains time with Nb3 and Be3. Then White sets up c4 and a3, building a Maroczy-like space edge. Black has to finish development with ...e6, ...Be7 and ...Nf6, then castle. The play is quieter than many Sicilians but White keeps a pleasant space edge if Black does not find counterplay with ...d5 or ...b5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.65: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.65 5.Nb3 e6 6.Be3 Qc7 7.a3 Be7
  2. +0.30 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5
  3. +0.19 5.Nb5 Nf6 6.Be3 Qd8 7.N1c3 a6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

609 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 46.6%.

1200–159948.1%
1600–199944.5%
2000 and up52.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

With White, play 5.Nb3 and Be3, gaining time on the queen. Then c4 and a3 take space and keep ...Bb4 out. Do not defend the knight with c3, which blocks your own pieces, and do not worry about b2 if your development stays ahead.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6. Its ECO code is B32.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.65 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 609 lichess games from our sample, White scored 46.6%. A surprise weapon for Black that suits players who like unusual lines; White gets a pleasant edge with simple moves.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation?

Black's early queen hits the d4 knight. White retreats with Nb3, develops with Be3 and grabs space with c4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nb3, with Nf3 and Nb5 close behind. 5.Nb3 sidesteps the attack and prepares Be3 with tempo on the queen.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.